Yell County High Point Trip Report

Petit Jean Mtn on Blue Mountain Dam Quadrangle

Date: March 30, 2001
Author: Hans Haustein
Petit Jean Mountain, not to be confused with the State Park of the same name, is located in northwestern
Yell County, just south of Blue Mountain Lake. To reach Petit Jean Mountain, take Highway 309 south of
Waveland for five miles until the State Highway ends and County Road 28 begins. Follow County Road
28 south for about 1 mile where it enters the Ouachita National Forest and becomes National Forest Road
(NFR) 18. Continue south on NFR 18 for about 3 miles to intersection with NFR 3. Turn west on NFR 3.
NFR 3 was steep, really rutted and washed out in places. A high clearance vehicle with 4WD makes it
easier to travel. There is an overlook 3.3 miles from the junction with NFR 18 that affords a pretty nice
views of the Dutch Creek Valley to the southeast. Follow NFR 3 another 1.1 miles to the junction of NFR
133, head north on NFR 133 for 0.7 miles to the Dry Creek Wilderness access sign. Park here.
The natural highpoint is about 40 yards northwest of this sign and is just north of the old fire tower base.
There is also a pile of rocks that is about 4.5 feet higher than anything on the summit, it looks to be the
remains of an old building. There is not much of a view because of the vegetation, but there were quite a
few daffodils blooming near the summit. The highpoint is just inside the wilderness area. Making it one
of two county highpoints in wilderness areas.